NSW Premier Bob Carr said the sheik could face criminal charges if he made comments which incited rapes.

"If anything the sheik says in future appears to be an incitement to the crime of rape ... I just want to assure him that the full force of the criminal law will be brought to bear," he told reporters.

Mr Carr said most Muslim Australians did not share the sheik's views.

"I know he's appalled Muslim Australians, appalled Muslim Australians who know the sort of anger that will be directed at their community because of these extremist views that are not held by the vast majority of Muslims in this country."